The Taranaki trainer produced the five-year-old to claim Saturday's Group I Makfi Challenge Stakes at Hastings and keep alive the Triple Crown dream.A Hawke's Bay clean sweep has yet to be achieved with Starcraft going closest in 2004 when he won the opening two races before he ran second in the closing event.
Sharrock has always maintained the Makfi at 1400 metres would be the most difficult for Kawi and the gelding would be more potent over the mile of the Group I Windsor Park Plate and the 2000 metre trip of the Group I Livamol Classic.
"It's a great thrill and there's a bit of improvement in him," he said. "This was the hardest one to win so I'm pretty confident about the other two.
"I probably should have put in a nomination for the Cox Plate as well, but the euphoria of that day might upset him," Sharrock said. "We'll wait for the Australian Cup in the autumn."
Kawi settled midfield on a good speed and rider Leith Innes brought him with a perfectly-timed run to down Ryan Mark and Ginner Hart.
"He's a lovely horse to ride and there was a bit of speed on before they steadied at the 700 metre mark when I crept forward and he did the rest," Innes said.
"He won pretty easily in the end."
Kawi is the best of three winners from unraced Volskraad (GB) mare Magic Time.
Runner-up Ryan Mark thrilled trainer John Morrell with an effort that might
result in a late payment for a rematch with Kawi in the Windsor Park Plate.
"It was a great run, I was very proud of him," Morrell said.
Foxbridge Plate winner Addictive Habit was fourth ahead of Vespa, who enjoyed a good run behind the pace, and Turn Me Loose. He raced outside the leader and peaked on his effort in his first outing for nine months. – NZ Racing Desk.
"It was a great run, I was very proud of him," Morrell said.
Foxbridge Plate winner Addictive Habit was fourth ahead of Vespa, who enjoyed a good run behind the pace, and Turn Me Loose. He raced outside the leader and peaked on his effort in his first outing for nine months. – NZ Racing Desk.
